Chapter 2: Ep. 1 - Awakening, I
"Wh-What do you want from me?" I stuttered in an anxious manner as I laid on the ground before the pair of Heralds, their foreboding auras were overshadowing me.
"You saw that Phantom didn't you? Where is it?" Avani firmly inquired, her broody eyes narrowing as she spoke.
"I-I really don't know I–"
"Silence. I can sense two separate Limbo Tethers within your subconscious. Although one was yet to fully manifest, the other is very much existent. It is quite weakened as well. I do not know how you did it, but you have consumed the very essence of the Phantom we were pursuing."
I shuddered as I listened to the Herald of Kinemata's flawless deduction. They were definitely worthy of their rank.
I was in big trouble, staying here any longer would prove to be ugly. I tried to move my body, I had to escape their clutches somehow, but I just couldn't. Something was preventing me from moving away from the spot I occupied, it must've been the effect of whatever ability the Herald of Kinemata possessed.
"It appears my partner here hit it right on the mark. I must say you are very intriguing. In all my years as the Herald of Organa, I have never encountered an organism capable of such sorcery."
"You would make for a wonderful specimen~"
"But Avani, we received orders to eliminate any rogue Savants that we may encounter tonight, direct orders.."
"From who?"
"The Original Endeavor."
"..."
"Well then kindly inform them of this potential specimen. Do you not understand the breakthroughs we can achieve in the Phantom Project? This rogue Savant possesses abilities that will prove to be helpful in managing these creatures, if you can even call them that."
"That just isn't possible, you're breaching protocol, Avani. I hope you understand."
Avani's eyebrows furrowed inwards, seemingly displeased.
"It seems I have no choice then, how unfortunate."
I locked gazes with Avani, intimidating eyes meeting with my own.
"It's a shame I do not get to play with my food for a little longer, I'm sure I would've been greatly entertained turning your organs inside out. On second thought, this is acceptable, you win some, you lose some, or so they say. I wouldn't want to resort to relying on the likes of you rogue vagrants. You lowly rats are nowhere near worthy of pursuing the [Ultimate Endeavor]. You are a disgrace to the legacy of 'The Original Endeavor'."
I sweated profusely, vigorously trying to break free from the invisible forces binding me in place. It was slowly dawning on me as the Herald of Organa closed the distance between us.
"By the name of the Nous, may the frondescence of enriching verdure suffocate you."
[Bio Manipulation, Organum Disruption.]
An earthy green aura emanated from the palms of the Herald.
...
My heart skipped a beat.
...
I struggled to breathe.
...
My breathing became more shallow as I panted strenuously.
...
I couldn't breathe. Something was suffocating me from inside.
...
"How does it feel hmm?~ Asphyxiation caused by the foliage originating from The Original Endeavor is undeserving of your kind. Appreciate the privilege bestowed upon you."
My vision blurred, I was starting to black out. Was this how I was gonna die? By the hands of the Synod in a dark alleyway? It was quite pitiful of a thought, yet here I was.
"Rescind your pursuit of the [Ultimate Endeavor], and cease the dream you treasure so dearly."
I winced as my body struggled against the foliage suffocating me. I was really going to die. All because I decided to investigate a booming crowd.
I was going to die, and it was all because of this decision I made.
Maybe dying wasn't such a bad idea, my life served no real purpose anyways. I merely drifted aimlessly through life without a single care.
⌜"The flames of the Adamari— I sense them within you."⌟
No, not yet. There were still some loose ends I had to resolve. It was all his fault. It was because of him I was left to die. But also, he helped me somehow, it was all because of him.
His burning passion somehow lit a spark within my soul. He showed me that even something so miniscule and unheard of in the grand scheme of things can still glimmer brilliantly among the lividness of life.
Ah, I see now.
He was just like Uncle Daichi. He was just like Seung-ho. They were just like him.
I understand now. These individuals, their passion and ambition burned brightly as the engulfing flames of my peripheral vision. I need to try harder. I must find my own ambition, my ultimate desire, but it now seemed too late.
If only I had been more careful. If only I had done something else sooner. If only I was competent enough to decide for myself.
I pondered in despair. What would have happened if I had acted differently?
Black.
...
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
▃▒▓█▓▒░░░▒▉▓█▓▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉
{Don't worry, Shinyu! This is not the fate that is reserved for you.}
A lively voice similar to mine resounded within my own mind. Wait a minute, my own mind? My own voice? I tried to look around, but my vision was static, I could barely decipher what was in front of me. My limbs no longer felt restricted, but I couldn't move them at will.
I coughed out ashes. I was now breathing just fine, the foliage growing within my trachea seemed to have been burnt by something. But just what was it?
I tried to speak, but no sound was made.
"Hm? What is going on?" Viridian green aura enveloped Avani's figure.
"God damn it, reality is distorting." Fenrir planted his boots onto the ground.
The two Heralds had their guard up, I was barely able to hear them converse with one another, it was still sort of audible though. I inspected the area I occupied, the area from where I stood and its immediate vicinity also looked like static. Reality was seemingly flickering and warping in intervals occurring at nearly the fraction of a second.
{Your interpretation of the [Ultimate Endeavor], I simply find it marvelous, Shinyu. You have a mind more brilliant than most of those who dream.}
Just wh⬚t was g■ing on? Wh◆se voice was th▮s?
{Ah wonderful! You can hear me now! Your voice is still a bit static-y on my end so it seems your Limbo Tether is still incomplete. But don't worry I got you covered!}
W-Wait what do you mean, 'Limbo Tether'? What are you exactly, are you just a disembodied voice in my head or something? Am I really going insane–?!
{Ahhh just relax man! I'm simply a Shade of your subconscious, a reflection of you in the mirror world. I'll explain the deets later, but for now, just leave this to me.}
The mirror world? I heard the Herald of Kinemata mention that in passing along with this 'Limbo Tether'. I was seriously in need of enlightenment right about now
Suddenly, my body jolted. My own body was acting independently without my interference. Before I knew it, I had targeted the Herald of Kinemata, Fenrir.
"Ah shit–!"
[Kinemata Manipulation, Actuator of Movement—!]
Thump!
Fenrir tried to obstruct my movement like before, but seemingly failed to do so as I had struck the Herald with a powerful roundhouse kick. Fenrir then coughed up blood as he wavered, flying backwards before crashing into an adjacent dumpster, metal screech as it was crushed by the impact of the Herald's collision
How was this happening? I didn't know what I was doing. Yet I was, I knew exactly what I was doing. It all came to me naturally, it felt like the reality I was perceiving shrinked itself so I could focus on the current battle.
{Your soul has already resonated with the Limbo Tether keeping us together. Just follow my lead and move in tandem with me}
I nodded.
"Why you little–"
Avani's hands were now akin to those of a canine, sharp claws rested on the tip of her fingertips. She slashed at me, only to miss. I quickly grabbed hold of her wrist with one singular hand and spun around her. With one swift motion, I had thrown the Herald backwards, causing her to flinch as she collided with the cold ashen ground.
With both Heralds knocked down, I made a run for it.
"Oh no you don't."
Fenrir quickly manipulated the movement of a wide neon sign to block my path of escape. I sensed the presence of the Herald right behind me, he was catching up. I ran straight ahead towards the sign and ran up to it. Using the moment I had built up, I used the neon sign as a lateral platform and flipped backwards after running up the surface of the LED screen.
I threw a punch with my fist, Fenrir swiftly dodged it and threw his own punch. I crouched onto the ground and swept the Herald of his feet with my own sweeping kick enveloped in flames.
Hold on– Flames?
{The Flames of the Adamari}
Fenrir quickly avoided falling onto the ground and landed on his palms, regaining his footing not too long after. I was caught off-guard as in that same moment, The Herald took out a stylized knife and threw it at me. I barely managed to evade it by a hair's breadth, my cheek bled a crimson red not too long after. I had performed a somersault in order to avoid his attack.
"Now you're really testing my patience, you vagrant." The Herald had swiftly unsheathed a set of similar knives seemingly out of nowhere. I snickered, I was really getting fired up. I started up a rhythmic groove as I paced about via footwork.
"Ugh, you ruined my coat!" The Herald of Organa had now recovered, frustration painted all over her face.
To my dismay, both of my opponents had regained their composure and were ready to re-engange.
{I suggest we wrap this up quickly, I can already feel our Limbo Tether weakening.}
I reassured myself that did not sound worrisome at all. I steadied myself as the Herald of Organa leaped in the air with the aid of some green tentacle-looking vines. The Herald of Kinemata threw his knives with a strong throw, sending them flying towards me. I skillfully maneuvered around the daggers traveling at mind-numbing speeds. I twisted and contorted in a manner I did not know I was capable of executing, it held semblance to that of Rox's combat style. My sneakers began to engulf itself in flames as I performed a flare, redirecting the knives towards Fenrir instead.
"Shit–!"
Fenrir winced in pain, having been punctured by his own daggers. I quickly dashed towards Fenrir, striking him in his gut with a drop-kick, further driving the miniscule blades that collided with my feet. The Herald let out a scream of pain as he faltered, blood painting the ashen ground red..
I stood still for a moment, adrenaline still pumping. Something was amiss.
Thwack!
"Urk–!"
Something had pounced on me before I had sensed its presence. Avani had struck me in the back with her vines. The impression it left on me stung painfully.
I fell onto the ground face first, I was starting to get sloppy. I was slowly regaining conscious control of my body. At this rate, I would perish.
I was now left wide open as both Heralds' murderous intent loomed over me, threatening to kill me within their next few attacks.
Shit, how was I going to recover?
Think Shinyu, think harder! Think of something, anything–!
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
▃▒▓█▓▒░░░▒▉▓█▓▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉
"H-Huh what the–?"
Fenrir's daggers.
Avani's claws.
Their attacks had permeated through my own body warping in and out of reality. I felt the odd sensation of molecules collapsing in of themselves as the cold steel and sharp claws striked the nonexistence I had left behind.
Now it's time for my retaliation.
Whilst laying on the ground, I kicked my feet up with all my might. My mind attuned itself to an unknown force as I conjured a storm of flames after spinning my legs around in a circular motion.
[Flame Manipulation, Flare!]
Sparks that danced around me combusted into a colossal squall of flames. My twisting figure was enveloped in flames as I dealt devastating blows to both of the Heralds, scorching them in the process. Agonized yelling was audible as Fenrir and Avani were flung in opposite directions relative to where I was.
The scent of burnt blood was potent.
The trick I had used reached its zenith and I regained my footing, standing upright not too long after.
I glanced at both of the stagnant figures.
...
They weren't moving.
Without hesitation I fled from the scene, my heart was racing as I made my way to my apartment complex.
I bursted through my apartment's front door. I had then collapsed onto the door after closing it.
Somehow, I was still alive. I was breathing.
Through unprecedented means, I was alive somehow.
Somehow.
It dawned on me at that moment.
The so called 'unprecedented means'–
We need to talk.
━─━────༺༻────━─━
The whirring sound of androids in flight resounded throughout the torn up alleyway.
"Alert! Alert! Suspicious behavior detected! Alert! Aler–!"
The sound of sparking circuitry and screeching metal pierced the atmosphere.
"These machines, truly unruly." A deep voice reverberated amongst the darkness plaguing the alleyway's destruction.
The well-built figure entered the ruins of the dark corner before him. There before him laid Avani and Fenrir.
Bloodied, bruised, and burnt.
"Neanderthals, must I always be the one to revert the consequences of their foolish actions?" The ominous figure standing at a tall height flicked open his pocket watch and sighed deeply.
"It's late, wake up."
[Chrono Manipulation, Clockwork.]
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉█▓▒█
▓▓▒▒░░▯▯▯
...
The beaten figures of the unconscious Heralds quickly acted on their own, seemingly moving backwards in time independently from everything else around them. Not too long after, both Heralds had reverted to a much healthier state, and began moving forward in time once more.
"Why you little–"
The tall man with dark brown hair caught the wrist of Avani. Eyes of confusion then soon plastered themselves on her face.
"Wh-What are you doing here? Where did that nefarious deviant run off to–?"
"You failed."
"Excuse me?"
"You were bested by a stain of The Original Endeavor, a minute one at that"
Avani shuddered at the intimidating aura the tall figure possessed.
Fenrir, who was not too far from the two conversing individuals glanced at the taller man. His eyes trembled, he recognized the man and swiftly made his way towards them. He kneeled on a singular knee and lowered his head in obedience.
"Sir."
"Your presence has been acknowledged."
Avani rested his gaze on Fenrir, then towards the man standing before her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She kneeled down as quickly as she blinked and bowed down her own head.
"Now that's how you address your seniors." The gravelly voice trilled in amusement.
"I'll get to the point, how did a lone Savant manage to beat you two? An abomination had managed to overpower the strength of two high-ranking officials among the Synod's council. The notion of such is quite unfavorable for our reputation, is it not?"
"Sir with all due respect, this vagrant was unique."
"How so?"
"He was somehow able to distort reality just like you– this is extremely unheard of among these abominations–"
Crack!
The sound of crushing metal and shattering glass resounded. The tall man in a trench coat had crushed the pocket watch he was holding on to.
"Reality distortion. Such an uncivilized description. There's so much more to it than simple 'distortion'."
█▓▒▃▉█▓
A neon sign had returned to where it once hung.
"To the uneducated, one could not perceive the inner machinations of what truly transpires in this alleged 'distortion'. It only appears as such because your minds struggle to comprehend the manipulation of the universe's principles itself."
▉█▓█▓▒▃▉
The crushed pocket watch was no longer damaged and had reverted back to its original state.
"The laws of the universe are relative, they do not operate on a system of absolute ideals and reasonings. It is all decided upon by the [Emanator of Nature] and her interpretation of the [Ultimate Endeavor]. Hence, it is not within my judgment to ponder upon your fate. Both of you shall live to see another day. Rejoice in the fact that the Synod still considers the both of you as viable to the council. Understood?"
"Understood, Sir." Avani and Fenrir both responded sternly, still bowing in respect of the figure before them.
"Now rest. As the Herald of Chronos, I exercise my authority bestowed upon me by the [Emanator of Nature] to rejuvenate your dream anew."
"May you offer your dreams to that of the greater dream."
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
▃▒▓█▓▒░░░▒▉▓█▓▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
▃▒▓█▓▒░░░▒▉▓█▓▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉
...
◇
...
◇
...
◇
...
◇
...
◇
...
◇
...
┍━☽[❖]☾━┑
Herald of Chronos, ???
┕━☽[❖]☾━┙
...
...
...
━─━────༺༻────━─━
"Hello? Can you not hear me even if I'm speaking out loud?"
I've been trying to get into contact with my 'Shade' for about 20 minutes now. Ever since I've calmed down, I was no longer able to hear him. He mentioned he was a 'reflection of myself in the mirror world'.
Does that mean I have to look in a mirror?
I walked to the bathroom mirror and stared intensively at myself.
"..."
Nothing happened.
I started clawing at my hair. What was I even thinking, of course it wouldn't be that simple! I was getting quite frustrated. One thing happened after another way too quickly and I did not understand any of it.
Just what exactly is a Savant? What are Phantoms? Shades? The mirror world? Everything else that totally sounded bonkers yet still seemed important somehow, nothing was making sense. I was extremely puzzled.
And what had happened a while back? How was I able to battle so skillfully?
⌜{Your soul has already resonated with the Limbo Tether keeping us together. Just follow my lead and move in tandem with me.}⌟
It was all that Shade's doing, it made my feats earlier tonight possible.
I tried to contact this 'Shade' one last time, yet to no avail. I thought I had fully completed my Limbo Tether or whatever already, how come I couldn't talk to it right now?
I took a deep sigh. Maybe I just needed some rest. Perhaps I wasn't able to connect to my 'Shade' because of my mental fatigue or something of the sort. I creeped onto my bed and crashed onto its foamy mattress. My weary eyes had immediately closed as the exhaustion had finally caught up to me. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
A deep, deep sleep
...
...
...
━─▓▒▃▉░━────༺༻──▓█▓▒──━─━▉░▒
I felt lethargic. My limbs felt like they were suspended in a thick nonexistent substance. A plane of nebulae clouded my vision, I felt like I was detached from reality itself. My limbs shared the same sentiment, they felt disconnected from one another, yet I was still aware of their existence.
I shifted my focus to the vast scenery before me, clusters comprising the interstellar landscape before seemed to be expanding outwards in an unorthodox manner. I felt entranced as I spectated my surroundings, I marveled at the wonders transpiring around me.
{Shinyu.}
I jolted. I glanced at the hazy figure before me as I turned backwards. I couldn't see anything clearly, what stood in front of me was blurry. I couldn't distinguish any defining characteristics of the ominous figure.
Could it be that this was my 'Shade'?
{I am. But at the same time, I am not.}
Right, mind-reading thingy I totally understood. I spoke verbally regardless.
"I don't follow, what do you mean by that? Well actually, before that, where am I right now? Or rather, where are we right now?"
{You are currently in a state of 'Limbo', the cessation of your limited human senses have allowed you to properly resonate with your tether connecting your subconscious to the mirror world. As a matter of fact, we are inside your subconscious as we speak.}
"H-How does that even work? Like, how and why is the universe inside my own mind?"
The hazy figure took a long pause before speaking again.
{[The Ultimate Endeavor], that is the sole reason. Your conscious mind has completed the necessary prerequisites to forge a connection with your subconscious. What sets you apart from religious practitioners who have achieved self-enlightenment is their lack of innate ability, the innate ability to perceive much more than what meets the human eye.}
{Your own soul is at the cusp of treading the path of a Savant}
My mind struggled to comprehend the information I was ingesting, yet at the same time, I came to an understanding as well. It was almost as if my own subconscious was filling in the gaps between my knowledge for me.
"I get the general gist of what you're saying right now, but I want to know, what is the [Ultimate Endeavor]?"
{That, one cannot say in absolute. It is relative to one's mind. Rather, it is relative to the mind of a Savant. Your own interpretation of your collective consciousness is what constitutes the content of the [Ultimate Endeavor].}
Great, even more confusing information from this otherworldly being.
{As your 'Shade', I am an embodiment of one of your many interpretations of the [Ultimate Endeavor]. At the same time, I am all of them at once, and none of them at once. I am a manifestation of the enigmatic nature of reality, and it is up to you as a Savant, to harness your own 'Shade' of The Original Endeavor.]
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
▃▒▓█▓▒░░░▒▉▓█▓▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉
▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░░▒▉▓█▓▒▒▓█▓▒░░
Suddenly, the landscape enveloping my subconscious began to crumble at the seams. The sounds of distorted warping engulfed my eardrums.
{It appears what little time we had together had expired. Fret not, your fate encounter with the individual you have met was ordained by fate. Listen to his guidance, and your dream will be decided by the ardent flames of the ▉░▒▓█▓▒▃▉░ themselves–}
Loud static pierced my ears, rendering a portion of the 'Shade's sentence inaudible. I couldn't accept this, I still had too many unanswered questions, and my seemingly only reliable source of enlightenment was crumbling to dust along with my own state of mind. I gritted my teeth as the overwhelming tinnitus attacking my ears slowly faded out.
And along with it, so did my vision and the portrait of the universe that was perceivable.
...
Remember to dream.
For The Original Endeavor.
━─━────༺༻────━─━
I gasped loudly. I had jolted from my bed in a cold sweat. My senses felt numb, still adjusting to the multiple stimuli greeting them.
The dream I had just now, I had learned a lot.
Yet I had learned nothing at all.
Still in a daze, I opened my phone on the verge of powering off from a lack of juice.
⌈7:21 AM⌋
It was early in the morning. I had barely gotten any sleep last night, and I still had classes. It was Thursday today, I looked at my schedule and remembered I shared a few classes with Seung-ho today.
Maybe I can confide in him. All these recent events had really stressed me out, all of this came at me while I was unprepared.
No, that isn't right. The mere thought of that was simply selfish.
Uncertain of what was to come, I reluctantly prepared myself for school.
━─━────༺༻────━─━
"Shinyu are you alright? You look even more out of it than usual, I'm getting extremely worried." Seung-ho pestered me from across the cafeteria table we occupied. I never really liked loud noises, so we always dwelled in this solemn corner of the cafeteria.
My appetite was noticeably absent. I did not feel like eating my meal.
"Normally you'd be picking away at your food by now, you just look so–depressed"
"Thanks for the concern, I just didn't get enough sleep last night."
I felt the presence of a figure lurking somewhere nearby.
"Y'know if something's bothering you, you can always talk to me. I won't be much of help but I know how much more relieving it feels to get it out of your system"
"Ah right, yeah. Don't worry, I know that. But really, It's nothing serious! As a matter of fact I'm starving right now."
It was really serious. Ever since I woke up this morning, my senses have heightened sharply. The overstimulation made me feel sick quite quickly. I've barely started to adjust and compose myself. But for the time being, it was just slightly bearable.
While Seung-ho chirped on, I pondered. Something or someone has been following me ever since I entered the premises of the academy. I clung to Seung-ho the entire day, fearing what was to occur if ever I found myself alone. Normally, I would disregard this lurking presence.
But it felt uncannily familiar.
This skulking figured shared the same foreboding aura of the two Heralds that attacked me last night.
Except it just felt even more sinister.
Seung-ho snapped his fingers in front of my face as he called out my name. I snapped out of my trance and responded with an awkward smile.
Right, afternoon classes were to begin shortly. Seung-ho and I finished our lunch and made our way to our next class.
━─━────༺༻────━─━
⌈5:25 PM⌋
I felt a sense of déjà vu envelop my body as the train I took everyday had come to a halt. I exited the train as usual and ascended the subterraneous stairs towards the glimmering scenery of the Cor District.
The lights felt even more blinding than before. The neon signs that decorated the cityscape shimmered even brighter than before.
However, It was in stark contrast of my actual destination.
A realm of darkness and despair cloaked in the illusion of an underground dead zone. Many referred to this location as 'the black market' of Eidolo.
A community merely tolerated by the Synod.
The Tenebra District.
I was never keen on the notion of entering the Tenebra District. But perhaps considering my current circumstances, it was the best course of action.
Because I needed answers.
However there was one issue, I did not know how to enter the Tenebra District. I evaluated my options, how was I going to figure out a way in? I dreadfully came to a realization, if I wanted help, I was going to have to ask random strangers for any information.
And so, my anxiety-induced intel-collection commenced.
I approached many strangers of varying appearances and backgrounds. As I asked them for any information regarding the Tenebra District, I took notice of just how diverse Eidolo's population was. However, their responses were just as disparate as their differing characteristics.
"I'm so sorry I just moved here, I've never even heard of this Tenebra District before."
"Ah, the Tenebra District, sorry kid but I don't know shit."
"Aren't you a bit too young to be going down there? You're not high are ya?"
Disappointment washed over me as I lowered my figure in defeat. I was unable to uncover any leads. I collapsed on a bench at the edge of Cor District's public park. The greenery was as pristine as the dancing lights that accompanied them. It was not really crowded here, I figured it must've been because of the current time. I opened my phone stuck on ultra power-saving mode.
⌈5:58 PM⌋
It was already nearly 6 PM, I wasn't going to make it on time. I silently cursed at myself, if only that stupid fire Savant guy at least told me how to get there—
— "The entrance to the market, it should be here somewhere."
I heard someone talk to themselves quite loudly. No wait, they weren't speaking loudly, it seemed they were merely mumbling to themselves. I was somehow able to hear their whisper from far away.
The figure from afar had her hair concealed within a beanie and was wearing a thick hoodie along with a pair of jogging pants. She mentioned a market, could it be she was referring to 'that' market?
I carefully observed her, and soon enough, she had taken a sharp turn towards a dark alleyway. I quickly got up from the bench I was sitting on and pursued her.
I sneaked behind her stealthily, carefully avoiding getting caught. Eventually, she had arrived at an old run-down building, a jagged. and just as worn out lift resembling a prison cell was accentuated by the gloomy lighting of the dark alleyway.
— "How do I work this piece of junk?"
She was whispering to herself again as she fiddled with the lift's control buttons.
Bzzt!
A loud buzz reverberated as the lift began to make rusty mechanical noises. Before it could begin descending, I quickly entered the lift, occupying the space next to the mysterious girl.
"What the—Who the hell are you?"
"Ahh so so so sorry, I'm in a rush right now and just couldn't wait for this hunk of junk to finish its descent ahahaha."
I blatantly lied as I sweated profusely. The woman glared at me with daggers in her eyes and scoffed as she adjusted her beanie to fully cover a lock of blue hair that peeked out.
—"Fucking weirdo."
My shoulders drooped as I heard her murmur loud and clear. I wasn't going to interject though, I would think I was weird too.
The trip down was dark and silent. I for one felt awkward tension but the woman besides me seemed indifferent. It appeared her presence was urgent and I was nothing more than the cold steel bars adjacent to her slender figure.
The whole frame of the lift shook violently as it came to a stop.
"We're here. Watch your step."
"R-Right"
We exited the musty lift to be greeted by a spectacle veiled in darkness.
The Tenebra District.
The streets were riddled with various people at an array of stalls selling all sorts of products. The somber lighting was completely different from that dazzling atmosphere of the Cor District. The unfriendly overtones encapsulating this district had me at a choke hold as I took in the almost monochromatic sights.
"Oh and by the way, stop following me. You're welcome"
i wasn't surprised in the slightest.
"Ah right thank you very much! I appreciate it!"
"Yeah yeah save it bitch boy."
The woman had lit a cigarette as she departed towards the murky crowd. She seemed kind of familiar somehow. Her disposition did not match with the person that came to mind however, so I figured I must have mistook her for someone else.
I digressed as I stared at the foreboding area that seemed to be the main plaza of the Tenebra District.
I took one step forward only to be struck in the back.
Shit. I was caught off-guard, I wasn't able to react on time.
I assumed a combat stance and I sharply turned towards my back. In that same moment I winded up a powerful kick revolving around my physique.
However, an immovable force had abruptly obstructed my attack.
It was the palm belonging to someone I had met not too long ago.
"Yo calm down kiddo! Don't worry it's just me!"
I lowered my leg that was caught by the bright red-haired man before me.
"It's already past 6 PM ahaha, at least you made it."
"Yeah, no thanks to you."
I bitterly remarked.
The bright aura of a Savant brightened the bleak darkness enveloping this lonesome corner of the Tenebra District.
▉█▓█▓▒▃▉